Positioning Digital Tracing Applications in the Management of the COVID-19 Pandemic in France.

Marion Albouy-Llaty,Caroline Martin,Gilles Munier,Jean-Louis Guéant,Daniel Benamouzig,Catherine Simonin,Emmanuel Rusch,Eric Bothorel

doi:10.2196/27301

Abstract

To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, many European countries have developed a public health strategy involving the use of digital contact tracing (DCT) applications to improve timely tracking and contact tracing of COVID-19 cases. France’s independent COVID-19 Control and Society Connection Council (CCL) was established by law in May 2020 to issue advice and recommendations on the national epidemic digital systems. In this paper, we present the recommendations by the CCL, with the objective to increase the uptake and utility of French DCT applications. As the country's most vulnerable population has been subjected to greater virus exposure, a stronger impact of the lockdown, and less access to preventive and health care services, the CCL is particularly aware of health inequalities. The French DCT app TousAntiCovid had been downloaded by 13.6 million users (ie, 20% of the French population) in March 2021. To promote the use of DCT apps, the CCL has recommended that communication about the app’s individual and collective objectives be increased. The CCL has also recommended the introduction of clear, simple, accessible, incentivizing, noncoercive information within the digital tools. In addition, the CCL has recommended improving public health policies to address the needs of the underprivileged. The CCL calls for promoting population empowerment with the use of digital tools, improving public health culture for decision-makers dealing with health determinants, taking social considerations into account, and incorporating community participation.

Highlights

To combat the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, many European countries instituted a strict lockdown coupled with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, which led to a relative decline in case fatality [1]
These countries developed a public health strategy involving the use of digital contact tracing (DCT) applications to improve timely tracking and contact tracing [2,3]
Considering the characteristics of European DCT apps and their potential, we present the CCL’s recommendations, with the objective to increase the uptake and utility of French DCT apps

Summary

Introduction

To combat the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, many European countries instituted a strict lockdown coupled with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, which led to a relative decline in case fatality [1]. COVID-19 pandemic; digital contact tracing applications; health inequalities; Europe; health promotion https://www.jmir.org/2021/10/e27301 These countries developed a public health strategy involving the use of digital contact tracing (DCT) applications to improve timely tracking and contact tracing [2,3].

Results

Conclusion